Trauma Registrar
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Tacoma, WA, 98405
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 28.1-41.8 HOUR
Date Posted : 9 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
As our Trauma Registrar, you will accurately abstract and enter data from patient records into the Trauma Patient Registry. Your meticulous work ensures a consistent and reliable trauma database, vital for program evaluation.
Every day you will abstract data from complex patient records, applying AIS and ICD-10 injury coding for accurate entry. You'll work closely with the Trauma Registry Supervisor and Trauma Program Manager, ensuring database integrity and quality.
To be successful, you will be self-motivated, with meticulous attention to detail and high accuracy. Strong proficiency in AIS and ICD-10 coding, excellent organizational skills, and a commitment to data quality are essential.
- Maintains the Trauma Registry for designated trauma care facility in accordance with current Washington State Administrative Code guidelines and CHI-FH procedures, including abstracting data and accurately coding diagnoses.
- Abstracts data from medical records into registry.
- Accurately codes diagnoses according to AIS scoring data.
- Electronically submits trauma registry data to State in accordance with CHI-FH procedures and state regulations.
- Identifies and maintains a comprehensive list of patients with diagnoses meeting Trauma criteria.
- Identifies quality improvement issues, complications and trauma system issues during medical records review, and directs those issues to the Manager.
Required
- Two years’ experience working in an acute care hospital setting that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge skills/abilities. and
- Completion of a recognized course of study from a certified or accredited organization for: Trauma Registrar, Nurse/Medical Assistant, or Health Information Coder and Work experience in an acute care hospital in an Emergency department, upon hire
- Certified Coding Specialist, upon hire
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.
Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.
Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.
We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.
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Frequently asked questions
Trauma registrars in Tacoma must expertly interpret detailed patient records, applying AIS and ICD-10 injury coding with precision. This ensures trauma data accuracy vital for program evaluation and state reporting, requiring strong coding knowledge and meticulous attention to detail specific to Washington state healthcare guidelines.
Unlike trauma nurses or clinicians who provide direct patient care, trauma registrars focus on data abstraction and coding from medical records. They maintain the trauma registry database, ensuring data integrity for quality improvement and regulatory compliance, which demands specialized skills in coding and data management rather than clinical interventions.
Experienced trauma registrars can advance into roles such as trauma program coordinators or quality improvement specialists. Gaining certifications like Certified Coding Specialist elevates expertise, opening pathways to leadership positions overseeing trauma data systems or contributing to trauma system policy enhancements.
Tacoma's healthcare sector shows steady demand for trauma registrars due to regional trauma center needs. Candidates with acute care experience and coding certifications face moderate competition, emphasizing the importance of specialized knowledge in AIS and ICD-10 to stand out in hiring processes.
Yes, compliance with Washington State administrative codes for trauma data management is essential. Registrars often need familiarity with local submission procedures and may benefit from certifications recognized by regional bodies, ensuring adherence to state-mandated trauma registry standards.
Catholic Health Initiatives fosters a collaborative environment where trauma registrars work closely with program managers and supervisors. The organization emphasizes ongoing training in AIS and ICD-10 coding, providing resources and protocols aligned with state regulations to uphold registry accuracy and integrity.
At Catholic Health Initiatives, trauma registrars not only abstract and code data but also identify quality improvement issues during chart reviews. This proactive approach integrates data management with patient care system enhancements, reflecting the company’s commitment to comprehensive trauma program excellence.
Trauma Registrars in Tacoma typically earn between $52,000 and $65,000 annually, influenced by experience and certification status. This range aligns closely with national averages for trauma data specialists, reflecting the region’s cost of living and healthcare sector standards.
Choosing to become a Trauma Registrar suits individuals passionate about data accuracy and healthcare analytics rather than direct patient care. This role offers a niche focus on trauma registry management, coding expertise, and contributing to system-wide quality improvements without clinical responsibilities.
Registrars encounter complex and sometimes incomplete patient records requiring thorough review and precise coding. Balancing data quality with timely state submissions, while identifying system issues, demands sharp organizational skills and resilience within a fast-paced, multi-hospital network.